I learned to embroider when I was a kid, when everyone was really into cross stitch (remember the '80s?). Eventually, I migrated to surface embroidery, teaching myself with whatever I could get my hands on...read more
Contact Mary
I learned to embroider when I was a kid, when everyone was really into cross stitch (remember the '80s?). Eventually, I migrated to surface embroidery, teaching myself with whatever I could get my hands on...read more
Contact Mary
November 15, 2024
It’s been a long time since I’ve polled the audience on a topic like tools!
Over the years, I’ve written a ton about needles here on Needle ‘n Thread – because, in general, they’re pretty essential to the kind of needlework we do. It would be difficult – just slightly difficult – to embroider without a needle.
I include needles, then, at the top of the Essential Tool List for all embroiderers.
November 13, 2024
Night time, this time of year, is dark.
And while there are many, many people in the world who don’t like the switch back to Standard Time, I must secretly admit that I’m not one of them.
I actually like it – once I adjust!
Don’t get me wrong. I don’t like the time switch in general. But I see it this way: it’s not Standard Time’s fault. It’s the switch to Daylight Savings Time in the spring that’s the problem. If we just stuck with Standard Time, the gradual lengthening and shortening of days would follow the regular rhythm of life and the seasons. And it wouldn’t be a jolt every time there’s that dagblasted hour switch.
But I digress…
Recently, I’ve been re-discovering the hidden pleasure of evening work.
November 11, 2024
Good morning, and Happy Monday!
We’ll jump right into the exciting news – the embroidery kits for The Christmas Mitten stitch-along are available now!
This final stitch-along for 2024 features a sparkly, festive mitten ornament. You can tuck gift cards, a note, small candy canes, or other small trinkets and gifts in it.
The mitten will make a beautiful addition to your own Christmas decorations or a perfect way to wish your favorite people a Happy Christmas!
Read on to learn a little more about the kit and the upcoming stitch-along…
November 6, 2024
Yesterday, we began the finishing process on Harvest Hues, and today, we are going to tie up the project!
In this final lesson, we’ll be adding the stiff floral wire to the back of the leaf to create a hanger and a “spine” that is bendable, so that you can style your leaves by bending them, if you wish.
Finally, we will sew the embroidered leaf to the felt backing.
If you are just joining in on this project – or if you’re just catching up – you can find all the installments of this stitch-along listed here in the Harvest Hues Project Index.
If you’re a member of the Patreon Community on Needle ‘n Thread, you will find the downloadable and printable PDF with all the finishing instructions already posted.
Let’s finish the leaf, shall we?
November 5, 2024
Good morning! Today, we’re going to start the finishing process for Harvest Hues – yippee!!
Due to the length of explaining the process, I’ll be presenting the finishing in two parts here on the blog.
If you are a member over on Patreon, you already have all the information on finishing available over there in a downloadable PDF. It was posted yesterday.
If you’re just starting or catching up with Harvest Hues, you can find all the lessons involved in this project available here in the Harvest Hues Project Index.
Let us begin!
November 1, 2024
Good morning, and welcome to November!
Next week, on Monday and Wednesday, we will be finishing up Harvest Hues. I think I said it was this week in our last installment (I’ve since corrected it), but in fact, I was looking at the Wrong Week on the calendar. I thought it was moving too fast!
Today, in joyful anticipation of finishing one project and starting another, I want to sneak peek our Christmas ornament stitch-along for this year!
I’m excited about this little ornament on so many levels – because it pairs well with my mini sampler stockings that I designed a few years ago, because it has a unique finish with a real cuff, because it is customizable, because it uses great materials, because the techniques are accessible and oh-so-satisfactory, because it makes a great gift (or a keeper!), and because, darn it, it’s just so dang cute!
October 30, 2024
I’m so excited to announce this today!
If you live somewhere in the vicinity of Northeast Kansas – or if you happen to be passing through after Thanksgiving – I have an invitation for you!
We are having the first ever Open House at Needle ‘n Thread this year, to kick off the pre-Christmas season. And we can’t wait!
I’ll tell you a little more down below…
